A call for submissions encourages visual artists to get rooted in the arts. In celebration of Red Deer’s selection as host city for the 2013 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artists Awards, the City of Red Deer Culture Services and the Harris-Warke Gallery will host a juried art exhibition titled ‘Rooted in the Arts’ that will be on display in June 2013, at the same time as the awards.

The exhibition will celebrate visual arts and culture in Red Deer in conjunction with many other cultural events surrounding the Distinguished Artists Awards.

Artists residing in Red Deer and Red Deer County are encouraged to apply for this opportunity. Artworks will be chosen by a community jury of professional artists based on artistic excellence and thematic relevance. All mediums will be considered except performance and video works.

The theme for the 2013 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards is ‘Rooted in the Arts’ and this theme will also drive the art exhibition. Interpretations may include the literal interpretation of being rooted, or more metaphoric meanings including ideas of being anchored, centered, grounded, founded, originated, established, settled and entrenched. The artwork may also relate to Red Deer’s geographic location, to Red Deer’s centennial, or any other relevant interpretation.

The exhibition will be on display from May 13 until June 22, 2013, at the Harris-Warke Gallery. For more information, contact Tanya Zuzak Collard at 403-309-4617 or email tanya.zuzakcollard@reddeer.ca. The deadline to apply is Feb. 22, 2013 at 4 p.m. Submission guidelines and applications forms can be found at www.reddeer.ca/culture.

– Fawcett